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3.1 HRA MIN 04-02-2012MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2012 Members Present: Chair Wilson, Commissioners Kuester, Lieser, Moon and Toth Members Absent: None Staff Present: Director of Economic Development Annie Deckert, Assistant Director of Economic Development Clay Wilfahrt, Environmental Administrator Rebecca Haug, and Recording Secretary Debbie Huebner Also Present: Dave Raymond, Elk River Area Arts Alliance Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Wilson. 2. Consider Apri12, 2012 HRA Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE APRIL 2, 2012 HRA AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Consent Agenda MOVED BY COMMISSIONER MOTIN AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS FOLLOWS: 3.1. HRA MINUTES 3.2. CHECK REGISTER 3.3. BALANCE SHEET 3.4. REVENUE/EXPENDITURE REPORT MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Oven Forum - No one appeared for Open Forum. 5. Discuss and Authorize Improvements for HRA Parking Lot Downtown -Landform Presentation Ms. Deckert stated that at the March HRA meeting, the HRA authorized staff to enter into a contract with Landform fox improvements to the downtown parking lot. She introduced Kendra Lindahl of Landform . Ms. Lindahl stated that Landform representatives met with a group of downtown business owners for their input in the design. She explained that Landform has designed three concepts for layout of the downtown parking lot space. Ms. Housing & Redevelopment Authority Apri12, 2012 Page 2 Lindahl introduced Brady Halverson of Landform. Mr. Halverson reviewed each of the three concepts noting three important elements for discussion: 1) location of the dumpster, 2) closing of the Main Street entrance; and 3) removing the utility pole and relocating services underground. The HRA is asked to choose a layout and also which amenities they would like to incorporate into a master plan. Chair Wilson stated he questioned whether or not the Main Street access is needed. He asked why Mr. Halverson designed the lot for 2-way traffic. Mr. Halverson stated that he felt -two way traffic provides a softer, better flow. Chair Wilson questioned why the access was designed for one-way traffic in the first place. Mr. Halverson stated that likely there was no room for two-way traffic with the angled parking. Ms. Lindahl stated that the downtown business owners expressed their desire for more parking with ample room for a walkway to improve pedestrian access behind the buildings. She felt that people would learn quickly to use King Avenue, once the Main Street access is closed. Commissioner Kuester stated she felt closing the Main Street access would be a very positive improvement and would encourage pedestrian movement. Commissioner Motin stated he also would like to see more walkway space, but had a concern about cars backing out of parking stalls with two-way traffic. He stated that he did not support providing tables, since the intent was to provide more parking. Commissioner Motin stated that he was in favor of removing the utility pole. He expressed concern regarding the parking space next to the proposed trash enclosure. He felt it would be a visibility issue for a driver backing out and suggested some type'of buffer in this location. Mr. Halverson stated the space could be removed and curb and landscaping added in its place. Commissioner Lieser stated that she liked the idea of closing the Main Street access and the proposed sidewalk. She felt that this would also provide better setting for ArtSoup and the Farmer's Market. Commissioner Lieser stated that she was not sure the kiosk was necessary. She asked for details. on the wall fall that was mentioned. Mr. Halverson explained that someone in the downtown group mentioned the wall fall, and although it would be a nice treatment, it would likely cost more than the parking lot. Commissioner Toth stated that he felt Concept C was the least desirable. He stated he had no objection to closing the Main Street access. Commissioner Toth stated he did not want to see landscaping cover the wall on Elk River Meats, in the event they were able to have a mural on it someday. He was in favor of a smaller kiosk than the one across the street. He felt this would be helpful for the downtown businesses to advertise events. Mr. Halverson suggested that canopy trees could be used along the wall instead of flowering trees. Chair Wilson stated that he was in favor of Concept A. Commissioner Motin asked if it was possible to have one-traffic and angled parking. Mr. Halverson stated that it could be done but it would change the layout. Ms. Lindahl stated that she felt it would be confusing to drivers to have one-way traffic throughout the lot. Housing & Redevelopment Authority Apri12, 2012 Page 3 Commissioner Toth asked which businesses would utilize the trash enclosure. Ms. Lindahl stated that there currently is a trash enclosure along Highway 10 which is used by approximately half of the "brick block" businesses. Chair Wilson noted that it seemed to be the consensus of the HRA to favor Concept A. He did not feel providing a kiosk was critical at this time. Commissioner Kuester stated that perhaps some of the downtown businesses could be listed on the kiosk, such as those in the Cinema Building. She stated that many people are not even aware of what businesses are there. Commissioner Toth stated that a kiosk was not a great priority, but suggested a design for a simple kiosk could be part of the master plan. Commissioner Motin stated he supported Concept A. He questioned the reason for relocating the trash enclosures. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TOTH TO APPROVE CONCEPT A. Commissioner Toth asked for clarification on Commissioner Motin's question regarding the trash enclosures. He asked if the businesses were aware of the relocation, and if they had any concerns. Mr. Halverson explained that the intent is to get the trash enclosure away view from Highway 10, as well as from the rear of the businesses for odor concerns. Jennifer Wagner, downtown business owner, agreed that residents are not aware of what businesses. are downtown. She supported adding right of way to widen the walkway. She had concerns regarding traffic exiting the parking lot from King onto Main Street. She stated that a vehicle has to pull out quite a ways into the intersection to see clearly. She suggested a 4-way stop be placed in this location. Ms. Wagner also expressed concern that there are no recycling containers for the downtown businesses. Ms. Ackman of Waterfall Salon & Day Spa, stated that she also had a concern fox future congestion at the King Avenue/Main Street intersection. She stated she supported closing the Main Street access, as she felt it was a safety concern for her staff. Ms. Akman stated that none of the businesses which used the current dumpster were present, but that it was her understanding they did not have an issue with relocating the trash enclosure where it is proposed. Dave Raymond stated he also prefers Concept A. He felt the access at Main Street was more of a hazard than an asset and it was a good idea to close it. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMISSION KKUESTER TO AMEND ORIGINAL MOTION TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IMPROVEMENTS AND AMENITIES IN THE MASTER PLAN: BASE IMPROVEMENT CURB AND GUTTER BITUMINOUS PAVING CONCRETE PAVERS ESTIMATED COST $3,500 $30,000 $15,000 Housing & Redevelopment Authority Page 4 Apri12, 2012 LANDSCAPING (TREES, GROUND COVER, $20,000 IRRIGATION) CONCRETE WALK $1,500 BASE TOTAL $70,000 AMENITIES ESTIMATED COST TRASH ENCLOSURE $12,000 - $15,000 REMOVAL OF LIGHT POLE/BURY ELECTRIC/ $5,400+$2,000 RELOCATE LIGHT POLE STAFF TIME TRASH RECEPTACLES (AT LEAST 2) $1,200 EA. TREE GRATES (QTY. TO BE DETERMINED) $1,500 EA. NATURAL STONE SLABS (# TO BE DETERMINED) $1,500 EA. BIKE RACK $800 BENCHES (AT LEAST 2) $2,300 EA. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Fred McCoy, downtown business owner, stated he supported the stone slabs along the sidewalk, as they would serve as both seating and table space for eating. 6. Consider Art Soup Request -Use of HRA Parking Lot Ms. Deckert stated that the Elk River Area Arts Alliance (ERAAA) has requested utilizing the HRA parking lot for the 2012 ArtSoup event on June 16. Dave Raymond, representing ERAAA, stated that they will be borrowing 95' x 35' tents from the Lions Club for the event. He felt this location was preferable to the parking lot behind the businesses on Main Street (i.e. Daddy O's, Sweet Peas, etc.). Chair Wilson asked how the tents would be secured. Mr. Raymond stated that they would be staked. The Commissioner expressed ,but that they could explore other options such as using weights. Mr. Raymond stated that since the parking lot would likely only have the first lift of bituminous installed, they could be allowed to stake the tents this year, and use other methods in the future. Commissioner Toth stated he is aware that the surface can be repaired, as St. Andrews stakes tents in their parking lot for events and repairs the bituminous after the stakes are removed. Ms. Deckert noted that a committee has been formed to establish a special event permitting policy. Chair Wilson stated he has no problem with the Arts Alliance using the space for ArtSoup. Commissioner Motin stated he concurred, but that he did have a problem with punching holes in the new parking lot surface. He state that with no policy in place at this time, he would recommend saying "no" to staking the tents. Commissioner Lieser stated that there also could be a problem with using weights, since they could sink into the bituminous on a hot day. Mr. Raymond stated that he has seen using the large blue barrels filled with water as weights, and also large cubes of concrete. Housing & Redevelopment Authority April 2, 2012 Page 5 MOTION BY COMMISSIONER TOTH AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER TO APPROVE THE REQUEST BY THE ELK RIVER AREA ARTS ALLIANCE TO UTILIZE THE HRA PARKING LOT FOR THEIR SUMMER 2012 ARTSOUP EVENT WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITION: 1. NO STAKING OF THE TENTS, USING AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD WHICH DOES NOT DAMAGE THE PARKING LOT SURFACE. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. Project Conserve Environmental Administrator Rebecca Haug stated that due to the length of tonight's HRA meeting, she will come back next month with her presentation regarding Project Conserve. Commissioner Moon left at this time. 8. Housing Study Update Clay Wilfahrt explained that staff has received quotes from three firms to conduct a housing study: Maxfield Research, Community Partners Research and BBC Research. He noted that the Central Minnesota Housing Partnership (CMHP) is unable to take on this project at this time. Staff recommends moving forward with Maxfield Research to conduct the study at a cost of $15,000. He stated that the City has used Maxfield Research's services in the past. The study will be completed in 75-90 days. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER KUESTER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIESER TO AUTHORIZE• STAFF TO ENTER INTO AN AGREMENT WITH MAXFIELD RESEARCH TO CONDUCT A HOUSING STUDY. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. Other Business -None 10. Other Business -None There being no other business, Chair Wilson adjourned the meeting. The meeting of the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority adjourned at 6:51 p.m. Minutes prepared by Debbie Huebner. Tina Allard City Clerk Stewart Wilson Chair, Housing and Redevelopment Authority